Why Do I Suddenly Have Ants in My House?

We’ve all made the frustrating discovery that ants have taken over our kitchen or bathroom. Ants have long been one of the most confounding pest problems, leaving most people wondering where and how they got inside in the first place. There are many things that can make your home attractive to ants. Keeping them out, then, requires the knowledge of making your home less suitable for them in the first place. The ant control experts at Loyal Termite & Pest Control are here to help! Read on to learn everything you need to know about why you might have ants, as well as what you can do to keep them away from your Virginia home.

Where Did Ants Get In?

If you have ants, you may be wondering where they came from. Ants are motivated by their search for food and water. If they find what they are looking for, ants will leave a pheromone trail for their colony to follow suit. Before you know it, a small ant problem can turn into a big infestation. An ant colony can nest in the walls of your home, and crawl into your various rooms through cracks and crevices. They are most commonly found in or near kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other areas that provide them with food or shelter. Once they’ve established themselves, it can be difficult to control an ant problem.

How Do I Keep Ants Out?

If you want to avoid discovering that you have an ant problem altogether, it’s crucial that you learn how to make your property less attractive to the pests.

There are three easy steps to accomplish this:

1. Eliminate moisture problems. Especially in your bathrooms, crawl space, or bathrooms, excess moisture from leaky pipes or plumbing issues can attract ants. Always fix leaks and other moisture problems as quickly as possible.
2. Clean up crumbs and spills. Ants have a sweet tooth. Crumbs on your floor, even pet food, can be a huge draw for ants. To prevent ants, it’s important to regularly clean up spills and vacuum on a regular basis to deny them access to any of your food.
3. Seal all cracks and crevices. Ants will make use of the tiniest cracks or holes to get inside, especially at the base of your foundation. Annually, inspect your home for these tiny openings and consider sealing them with caulk.

Ant Problems in Your Home?

Sometimes ants persist even after your best effort to get rid of them. If this is the case in your Eastern or Central Virginia home, it’s time to call in the experts at Loyal Termite & Pest Control. Our ant control team will work to get rid of ants in your home, as well as set up prevention methods to keep them away for good. Contact us today to get started!